US military winds down operations at Saudi air base

[NNN0LHI]

Wasn't this base located on sacred Muslim ground one of the reasons that Osama bin Laden was all bent out of shape? This move should please him. Maybe this is why there have not been any new terrorist attacks in America since 9/11? Don

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N27171347.htm

WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has shut down the last remaining Air Force unit at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia and a skeleton crew of American personnel was making final preparations to leave the desert facility, officials said on Wednesday.

The move comes as the United States decreases to almost zero its military profile in Saudi Arabia, where the presence of American troops has generated resentment because of their proximity to Islam's holiest sites.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz announced on April 29 that the United States would end military operations in the oil-rich kingdom and remove virtually all its forces.

Lt. Gary Arasin, a spokesman at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, said Maj. Gen. Robert Elder presided over a de-activation ceremony for the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing on Tuesday at Prince Sultan Air Base, presenting a plaque to a Saudi colonel.

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[Paschall]

1. Well...

...now that we've got bases rent-free in Iraq what's the point, right?

[Mistress Quickly]

2. I don't think

it was any specific ground in Saudi Arabia, it's just that all of Saudi Arabia is considered holy, because it was the homeland of Mohammad, and thus, Islam.

And although Osama bin Laden used that for reasoning, I'm sure it goes much deeper than that, with more reasons.

[Brazosboomer]

3. Whoa! Whoa!

This scares the poop outta me.

That base is filled with the latest in electronics, radar, and combat equipment. It is an enormous base - with several large dorms and dining facilities. The runways are new.

Dammit, dammit, dammit. Will the next war be against a completely defendable base that we built and equipped? Again?

I hope the last troop out bombs the place. I cringe at the Saudi government owning this base.

[NNN0LHI]

4. The Saudi ruling family has been buddying up with Russia lately

The Saudis think they mave have a like new, state of the art, recently vacated air base for rent very soon. Cheap too.

Don

[Wwagsthedog]

6. Would you also cringe at...

...The Saudi air force still being comprised of many F-15s and lots of other US armaments; that US advisors aren't likely to leave anytime soon; that the US firm, Vinnel Corp., despite losing some people in a Riyadh bombing, is still a contractor to train the Saudi national guard. The Saudis fear of the USA and Israel would prevent the use of any military leftovers for a premptive strike on any other country. By the way, the Saudi commercial airports were all used and equipped as military bases in GW I.

Bomb Saudi Arabia? We've already trashed Najaf and Kerbala in Iraq and we are damn lucky the Shiites haven't done any large scale objecting yet. If we also trashed the home of Mecca and Medina, what would happen next? Do you want $5.00+/gal gasoline? MHO is that bombing and killing isn't making us many friends as it is.

[Brazosboomer]

9. You're right.

I shouldn't have said "bomb the place." I should have said the BASE, because that's what I meant. We built it. We paid for everything there. And, you're right - I shouldn't have said "bomb." I should have said "destroy." Last troop out, either take our equipment or destroy it. I do NOT think we should be leaving our weapons around for anyone to play with when we go home. I don't think I suggested we should kill anyone. I want to destroy the base when it's empty.

And, frankly, we've peacefully accepted two Texas oilmen in the White House. We're going to get $5.00 a gallon gas NO MATTER WHAT. That's the price of a packed Supreme Court.

[Khephra]

5. So...

The Bush Administration is running away from Saudi Arabia because they're scared of terrorism? Doesn't this mean that OBL beat Bush in driving American forces out of SA?


That's what the Clinton bashers would have said if this had happened during his watch.

[Nottingham]

7. Well Osama Won didn't he! Got our troops out of Arabia!

I don't trust the Saudis at all!

I wish the Monarchy would be thrown out of their palaces!

[priller]

8. Yes, that was my first thought

"Osama must be pleased to hear this." Now that he's checked that off his list, I wonder what the next issue is? I'm sure we'll see more terrorism in the future, since it worked so well for Osama this time around.

To be fair, this was a big issue with all Saudis, not just Osama. Still, most people in the US don't realize that this was one of the big motivating factors for occupying Iraq--it gave the US a way to get out of Saudi Arabia, but still have a huge military force in the region.